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by Ryan_Asselta from Dedham

Last Post 11 hours Ago


Shame on you MLB!
Mar 7, 2008 | 8:42 PM
Category: Sports
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Have you heard about what Major League Baseball is planning on doing to the Cape Cod Baseball League? In what is a clear case of the Big Guy picking on the Little Guy, MLB is fighting the Cape League over team naming rights. MLB is saying that the six teams in the Cape League that share names with Major League teams, must wear the professional uniforms and pay an 11% royalty on all merchandise that those teams sell.

The teams in question are: Bourne Braves, Hyannis Mets, Chatham A's, Orleans Cardinals, Harwich Mariners and Yarmouth/Dennis Red Sox.

This is absolutely absurd. In case you didn’t know, the Cape League is a non profit League. It does not make any money and the teams all rely on fundraising, donations and volunteers to help keep them functioning throughout the summer. It's a league that allows college kids from all over the country a chance to play summer ball at a high level, as well as spend the summer on beautiful Cape Cod.

MLB annually donates a $100,000 grant to the Cape League, but has said that if the matter is not resolved, they will take the grant away.

Major League Baseball, along with the NFL, have been to grab complete control over their product for awhile now. And while I believe they have a right to do so, I think it's to an extent. 

MLB is just being flat out greedy here! For a billion dollar company to try and pick up an 11% merchandise royalty from the little itty bitty Cape Cod League....completely disgusting!

What do you think?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 11
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Joseph_Knott
Mar 7, 2008 | 9:09 PM

Absolutely nothing about this makes sense to me.

First of all, it's not as if the Cape Cod League is a real competitor to MLB and is any way stealing their revenues. This is Boston. Red Sox fans throw PLENTY of money into the pot that is MLB revenue sharing by buying Red Sox jerseys, hats, key chains, dog collars, cup holders, toilet paper... you get the idea.

Secondly, I have to ask - why now? From all I've heard MLB's income is up. Broadcasts ratings are up as are attendence figures, both of which translate into advertising revenue. Some of the Cape teams have been using those names for 20, 30, 40 years- why not go after them years ago, when the game was struggling?

The Cape teams are analagous to squatters as far as I'm concerned. MLB let them "live on their land" (so-to-speak) by using their team names and logos for too long to all of a sudden swoop in and demand a change. It's not like they didn't know, the Cape Cod league has been scouted by MLB teams for years now.

You said it, Ryan, "Flat out greedy."

Joe
JuneInMA read my blog view my photos
Mar 7, 2008 | 10:17 PM

I don't know guys, maybe they need the money to clean up their steroid nastiness. Maybe the idea that some clean, respectable athletes can better carry the name of the teams is too much for MLB to bear. MAYBE, they feel the fans will be confused as to who the real Mets or Red Sox are......just throwing out some suggestions.

They should be ASHAMED of themselves! ASHAMED!! How dare they pull this stunt after all the dirty steroid scandal we've been through. If anything, they should be doing their best to make amends and do some goodwill. Dirty! All of them, starting with the top.
ajminnp
Mar 7, 2008 | 10:37 PM

Ryan - this is truly outrageous. Thank you for reporting it - I hadn't heard at all, and we're on the Cape every weekend.
From a purely legal standpoint, the MLB already receives substantial consideration from the CCL's use of its marks in the form of a steady, impressive pool of talent! Anyone familiar with the CCL can recite the long list of major leaguers, including some Hall of Famers, who received training and skills refinement in Orleans, Brewster, Yarmouth, Harwich, and other towns on the Cape. Seems to me the greedy b's at MLB are seeking DOUBLE compensation, in the form of both the outstanding talent provided from the Cape, and now with a revenue kicker. Completely unfair, and certainly undeserved.
Jami3318
Mar 7, 2008 | 10:39 PM

That is ridiculous! Obviously the MLB is really hard up for cash! Most of the Cape teams aren’t even using the exact logos or team colors. The Y-S Red Sox do, but come on, that should be considered some New England Pride. And I don’t really understand how any one can really own a team name? Are they going to go after everyone that is using the names of any MLB club. Some are pretty common in colleges and other schools. I feel like I’ve seen a lot of schools with the mariners mascot … especially when you live near the coast. I also feel like Cardinals is a pretty common mascot too. And I hope the Red Sox really don’t care that they use the name. I think the MLB should be helping them out, instead of holding the donation over their heads and forcing them to pay them royalties.
alleycat9
Mar 7, 2008 | 10:48 PM

What did they want the teams to do, name themselves The Fearful & the B's?

Did MLB ever consider that this is essentially "free" MLB advertising? And could be considered a gesture of "good will" for all parties?

For all MLB has put its fans through -- and no I didn't forget the year without the World Series -- you'd think they would be careful not to engage in bad PR.

Just think ... if the Cape should come up with a novel team name, and MLB adds another expansion team and wants to use that name, the Cape should collect 12%!

What next ... local pub teams, Little League???
redmac1958
Mar 8, 2008 | 1:21 AM

Given the talent that has flooded the MLB from the Cape League outlets, it would seem that 100,000 is a meager contribution to its growh and development. To tack on this miserly demand gives greater indication that Selig needs Aricept. Another great PR move that is I am sure worth the potential windfall. Who is the rookie lawyer or numbers cruncher that is running from his office with a box full of frames over this one?
Chip read my blog view my photos
Mar 8, 2008 | 8:12 AM

June, I was thinking...maybe "roid rage" at a league level?
Pedro1885
Mar 8, 2008 | 10:35 AM

The Cape League (CCBL) exists because of the tireless efforts of legions of Cape town volunteers who make each CCBL team possible. What MLB is doing here is "offering" a grant of $100k and then taking it back AND MORE by requiring the teams to deal with MLB Properties. This cuts out all the local vendors who love the Cape League as much as the fans. This is a money grab and a power grab. What MLB does not realize (do they even care) is that this proposed action can just suck the hearts right out of the people who make this special league operate in a special place. MLB holds the cards and the money to not only win this battle but to stomp all over the CCBL as they march on to Pyrrhic Victory. In doing so, they will lose the war of public opinion and in the process kill (or at least severely damage) a volunteer enterprise with a hallowed tradition going back to 1885. 'Tis a damn shame. Bud Selig had better wake up from his nap and rein in his NY lawyers on this one.
tem123 read my blog
Mar 9, 2008 | 12:17 PM

Maybe they should follow the NECBL and all teams have nicknames that are different from major league clubs. That would solve that problem.
Chopp143 read my blog view my photos
Mar 10, 2008 | 5:42 PM

The only word to describe it is "GREED", plain & simple.
paulnofsky read my blog
Mar 21, 2008 | 7:41 AM

ryan i go to the cape every summer and make an point to see an game or two.They do not charge any admission but ask for donations which i am wling to do.having said that MLB an multibillion dollar business should be ashamed of itself.You in the media need to get tis story out there on an national basis because these players come from all over the country to spend their summers here working and playing baseball.Bud Lite Selig shame on you.Go after the drug addcts luike clemens and bonds and leave these kids the hell alone
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Ryan_Asselta

I am a Sports Anchor/Reporter for the FOX 25 News at 5:00 and 10:00 as well as the FOX 25 Morning News Sunday.

Member Since: 10/17/2006


 

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